Disabled ex-employee rates invitations

Friday

Dec 13, 2013 at 6:00 AM

I was heartbroken and saddened by the way Nancy Krusas, as a former employee of Hanover Insurance, was treated after having to leave her job due to multiple sclerosis, as described in a Dianne Williamson column ("Disabilities don't change who people are," Sunday Telegram, Nov. 24).

Nancy is a person — not a number. She is officially retired due to a disability beyond her control. Is there a difference between retiring due to age or an illness?

There should have never been a second guess as to whether to invite Nancy to company gatherings. In fact, it should have been a priority. If she did not want to attend, all she had to say was no.

It wasn't up to Hanover or any other company to decide for any individual. That was a slap in the face. Nancy not only had to deal with her illness and her decision to leave after 40 years, but also with being treated like a nobody after such dedication. No one should ever be treated as this young lady was.

I think she deserved more than an apology.

Aren't changes good? Old policies to new policies, rules meant to be broken? What if this was your wife, husband, or other? How would you feel? Think about this, all businesses that in the future have such a situation. Treat others as you want to be treated.